Metal News for September 23, 2011

We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.

Helsinki based metal act Amarantine has changed it's name to Clockwork Spirit to coincide with the release of the upcoming self-titled debut album on October 28th, 2011. The album will be distributed by German label Dance Macabre Records and will initially be available around Europe. A teaser for the album, featuring samples of all eight tracks, is available below. The track listing is as follows:

As previously announced, Virginia's Arsis will be touring as part of the “Frets of Fury Tour” this October without guitarist/vocalist Jim Malone. The band has now announced the musicians filling in for Jim in his absence.

"Mike Parks will be performing vocals for the tour in October,” commented the band. “He's the obvious choice as he has helped us out in the past when Malone lost his voice, and was actually the singer of the band that became Arsis. He is a long-time friend and an extremely strong singer, and we're happy to have him with us."

The band continued, "We'd also like to introduce Brandon Ellis. This is something incredibly special. He is a young guy who plays with the kind of maturity that has become rare in the modern metal and shred scene. His presence will take the guitar chops in Arsis to a new high. Talk is cheap, so see for yourself below.

"WE ARE NOT CANCELLING. ‘The Frets of Fury’ tour was built specifically around the participation of Arsis and it would be dishonorable to back out and hang everybody out to dry. So we are bringing a brutal set of new music (some of which we've already shared online) and some old ones, which have never been played live despite a constant clamor for them. The lineup is AWESOME as all at the shows will soon discover."

Brooklyn hardcore/metal assassins Vise Massacre have finished their upcoming full-length album, "Expendable Humans," showcasing the unit's revamped lineup. The brutalizing new platter will see release in the coming months on a label yet to be determined.

For now, the uninitiated can catch up on the Vise Massacre madness via the band's Facebook page, where the act recently posted several previous demos. The band's publicist also commented:

France's Livarkahil will be touring French territory with the "Tour of Decay 2011," promoting the brand new album "Signs of Decay," which is due on September 26th via Listenable Records. Also joining the band on the road will be Hate, Vesania, and As You Drown. Livarkahil has also launched a brand new promotional live video to the song "The End of Everything," which can be viewed below.

Italian black metal act Foret D'Orient has signed with Archaic North Entertainment for the release of debut album "Essedvm" on November 18th, 2011. The label had this to say about the signing:

"Archaic North Entertainment has discovered a rising star from the ashes of a dying world, and is excited to announce its latest signing to its ever expanding roster of artists. Foret D'Orient from Italy has just inked a deal with the Canadian label and the debut release 'Essedvm' is scheduled for release on November 18th 2011. The album will be available through the label as well as its distribution partners around the world.

"Foret D'Orient is a black metal band from Venice, Italy, enriched with searing riffs, orchestral parts and acoustic inserts sure to please any melodic metal fan. Also used is a 47 string harp playing alongside metal structures, giving the band a bright lively sound. The lyrics of Foret D'Orient are in Italian and Latin because the lyrics deal with the country's obscure cultural themes and history which deserve to be honored in their mother-tongue. More...

Renowned guitarists Alex Skolnick of Testament and Chris Broderick of Megadeth have joined forces to create the first annual Skolnick & Broderick’s Winter Guitar Retreat. The retreat offers guitarists of all talent levels the opportunity to expand their horizons while spending four days and five nights studying and jamming with Broderick and Skolnick at Full Moon Resort in New York’s Catskill Mountains from December 26th - 30th, 2011.

Skolnick & Broderick’s Winter Guitar Retreat will include master classes with Skolnick and Broderick, jam sessions, open mic nights and optional private lessons. Check out a video clip of Skolnick and Broderick talking about the Winter Guitar Retreat below. For full details, go to this location.

Skineater has posted a second studio video diary online from the band's time recording the "Dermal Harvest" album. You can check out the clip below. Additional details on Skineater and music available for streaming can be found at the band's Facebook profile.

Anatomy of I, which recently released the new album "Substratum," has announced that drummer Dirk Verbeuren will be missing upcoming live shows due to other commitments. The band issued the following update about recruiting Melle Kramer for live shows:

"As Dirk is currently exclusively playing live with Soilwork (the upcoming few shows he's doing with Devin Townsend in the UK being an exception to the rule), we welcome Melle Kramer from the band Obsidian as our live drummer!

"Rehearsals will start in October and we're looking forward to bringing AoI to a stage near you in 2012! Dirk will still be playing on the next AoI album while Melle is not leaving Obsidian."

You can also check out a statement from Melle on his blog by heading over to this location.

Century Media Records has renewed its deal with Napalm Death. In regards to the re-signing, Jens Prüter (Head of A&R, Century Media Records) comments, "Napalm Death is not only one of the most important and influential extreme metal bands, they are also a band that always raises their voice against social ills-- and even against record companies (remember 'Enemy Of Music Business'). Therefore I'm even more glad about Napalm Death re-signing to Century Media for more great albums of intelligent and meaningful noise. And have you ever seen a weak Napalm Death show? I haven't, and I have seen them MANY times and will never get tired to see them again and again. Thanks to Mitch, Danny, Shane and Barney for their resilience and resistance-- and a special thanks to Marc from MAD for fighting on their side."

Napalm Death vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway also comments, "We're very happy to be re-signing to Century Media. In fact, I think it's the first time we've actually re-signed on a longer term deal with anybody since the days when we didn't strictly know that we could be digging ourselves a big hole with labels...It's important for Napalm to stay with an independent, and Century proved to us with their overall enthusiasm and attention that this is where we needed to be. There's a perfect balance of getting the band out there in people's faces whilst still understanding the point that not everything is acceptable or 'ethical' promotion. It's more like working with friends who actually care, and who could argue with that?"

The band finished recording the upcoming 14th studio album earlier this year at Parlour Studio in Kettering, U.K. with long-time producer Russ Russell, and the group is currently on the road in Russia. You can catch Napalm Death live on the following dates: More...

Germany's Atlantean Kodex has been hard at work over recent months writing a sophomore full-length album and follow-up to "The Golden Bough," which at press time remains untitled. Stated guitarist Manuel Trummer this week on the album's progress:

"The new album is slowly starting to take shape. So far we have around 30 minutes of all new, unreleased material. There won't be any demo songs or older songs from previous releases on the album. Regarding the general direction, you can expect the same sound and atmosphere as on The Golden Bough. There won't be any change in style whatsoever. T

"he stuff we have written so far ranges from nice headbanging up-tempo anthems to some of the slowest and most epic stuff we have done... it's safe to say that our key coordinates still are Into Glory Ride - era Manowar, Viking-era Bathory, arcane 80's U.S. Metal served with a healthy dose of NWOBHM, folk and 70's vibes. All regressive, all Atlantean Kodex."

The new album is planned for release sometime in late 2012 or early 2013.

Vancouver's folk metal clan Scythia has officially released the band's sophomore album "...Of Exile" today, and the group is offering the digital release through a "pay what you want" format. Head over to the Scythia Bandcamp page to check out the album.

"...Of Exile is a fantasy concept album that blends storytelling with neoclassical and progressive metal. The album features 10 tracks that are linked together with cinematic sound effects and lush narration showcasing a range of different styles at play from medieval folk to 70's rock and all the way to full-blown power metal," commented vocalist/ guitarist Dave Khan.

Anthrax has announced that three new dates have been added to the band's upcoming Fall tour, including Sayreville, NJ, Huntington, NY, and Cleveland, OH. Anthrax will co-headline the 27-date trek with Testament and Death Angel will open all shows. Upcoming Anthrax live dates are as follows:

Metal Injection was on hand at Revocation's "Chaos of Forms" CD release show at the Studio in Webster Hall, and footage from the show is now available online. You can check out the first clip below, or find the rest by heading over here.

Ottawa’s Fuck the Facts has posted the track "Alone" online from the band's upcoming album "Die Miserable." Check it out at Decibel Magazine's website here. Fuck the Facts previously posted several other tracks from Die Miserable, including “A Coward’s Existence” and “Drift,” as well as an in-studio video documenting the recording of the album.

Set for release in North America via Relapse Records this October 11th on CD, limited edition LP, and digital download, "Die Miserable" was recorded between tours at the band's own home studio, and bears artwork by vocalist Melanie Mongeon. You can also catch Fuck the Facts live on the following dates:

Recently signed to Century Media Records, Vildhjarta is now ready to unleash the upcoming album, "Måsstaden," on 11/28 in Europe and 11/29 in North America. "Måsstaden" will be the Swedish seven-piece's first full-length album, and a teaser trailer for the release is now available below.

Brazil's Warfire is streaming the song "Teutonic Pride" online, which is taken from the band's "It's Time to War" EP. You can check out the song in the player below, or hear the previously uploaded "Bang Your Head" track by heading over here.

"The year 2012 starts right off with a real sensational tour: GRAND MAGUS! These stoner-riff-metal kings from Sweden, who put themselves on the throne of several genres with their latest effort 'Hammer of the North,' will be playing Germany, Belgium, France, Holland and Switzerland. Riffs to bow down to! GRAND MAGUS not only kill on record but also on stage. Watch out for a massive wall of sounds, which will blow you away!

"With them on tour will be their fellow countrymen BULLET and STEELWING. BULLET, who just recently signed a deal with Nuclear Blast, are considered to be one of the high hopes of the dirty, fresh and new Hard-Rock wave. STEELWING will amaze you with their guitar playing a la Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, a real eyecatcher onstage and definitely one of the new young crusaders of heavy metal! They will be releasing their brand new album for the tour and live they are in best shape after being on tour with bands such as Blind Guardian, Accept and Sabaton!

"The line-up is completed by the positively insane SKULL FIST from Canada, who were already on tour with BULLET this year and also played the Power of Metal tour just a while ago. Old-school metal which couldn´t be more authentic and real! Their current longplayer „Head öf the Pack“ is out now and was highly acclaimed by both press and fans.

"Dutch VANDERBUYST were a true phenomenon in the underground-rock scene for some time and have now surfaced to take your souls! Live one mighty combo and a killer openening band for a killer tour!

" 'Frost and fire! How much metal can you take? Delivering swedish steel with an iron fist in Germany, Switzerland, Holland, France and Belgium. The Magus is thrilled to have our brothers from Bullet with us on this venture and we promise that no prisoners will be taken!' GRAND MAGUS

" 'We are absolutely stoked to hit the road again after the recordings of our second album, and we couldn't ask for a better line-up for this tour - it's gonna be a true heavy metal assault on the senses! We will of course play some of the classics from our first album but we'll also play a couple of new songs for all you metal marauders to raise your fists and scream along to!' STEELWING

Chicago thrash act Diamond Plate has posted a new music video online for the song "At the Mountains of Madness," which is taken off the band's new album "Generation Why?" You can check out the clip below.

Italian stoner/psychedelic metal band Three Eyes Left just released their latest EP, titled "Non Method As Method, No Limits as Limit" digitally via Italy's booking and promotion company Vampata. Metalunderground.com is now streaming the entire EP for a limited time only. Additionally, we can offer the first track from the effort, "La Fee Verthe (The Green Fairy)" as a free MP3 download.

The three-piece band is comprised of:

Maic (vocals/guitar)Andrea (bass)Ste (drums)

The track listing for "Non Method As Method, No Limits As Limit" is as follows:

For this week's lineup of newly added tracks on the Rock Band Network, metal and rock fans can look forward to new tracks from Halcyon Way, Rotting Christ, and Devin Towsend, with PS3 players getting more After the Burial and Soilwork in early October. The Rock Band Network website was updated with the following statement about the delay in PS3 songs and the lower number of PS3 tracks versus Xbox 360 songs:

"There will be no North America PS3 RBN release on Tuesday, 9/27/2011. Instead, we will release the songs listed above on 10/4/2011 along with the 5 songs regularly scheduled for that day (so 10 songs total will be released to North America PS3 RBN on 10/4/2011).

"We've got something extra-special planned on PS3 RBN for the release on Tuesday, October 11. Look for our upcoming announcement in the 'New to RBN' on Thursday, October 6!

"The Rock Band Network was developed upon Microsoft's XNA technology, and all RBN songs have 30-day exclusivity on the Xbox 360. However, select RBN 2.0 songs are submitted to the PS3 by Sony and Harmonix at the rate of 5 songs a week, as determined by factors such as popularity and community interest. To request future songs for the PS3, go to the forum thread here. We're always interested in hearing what songs our PS3 customers would enjoy!"

Kylesa has issued the following announcement about appearing on the Last Call with Carson Daly show:

"Kylesa is happy to announce that we will be on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly! We recently played in LA at the Troubador where they filmed the show and interviewed Phillip and Laura. Many thanks to Carson and his awesome crew!

"Here's the skinny: Wednesday night of September 28th at 1:35a/12:35 central Kylesa on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly performing 'Tired Climb' and 'Crowded Road.' This episode will re-air on FUSE the following day at 2:30am, 6:30pm, and 10:30pm."

Iced Earth posted the second part in a series of webisodes (seen below) leading up to the release of "Dystopia" on October 17, 2011 (EU) and October 18, 2011 (North America) through Century Media Records.

When Wolves In The Throne Room entered the tiny stage in the basement of Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 15, a newfound sense of anticipation filled the suffocating air. The room became packed, like a busload of metal heads were suddenly dropped off outside the church just a few minutes prior. The smoke from the stage sucked out the oxygen, giving off a sudden wave of heat that resulted in heavy sweating and panting. The first notes of “Thuja Magus Imperium” echoed through the amps, and what transpired was an hour of gripping black metal that mingled well with the three other acts on the card. More...

Italian band Kerosene is announced that it's brand new LP "Face the Real" will be released on October 31, 2011 through Lost Sound Records, self distribution. The band describes the new LP as "11 powerful songs between hard rock and modern alternative metal showing an important qualitative leap compared with the previous record that's been made possible with the precious help of producer Wahoomi Corvi and the guys at Realsound Studios."

A trailer for the new LP can be viewed below. The track listing for "Face the Real" is as follows:

1. Face The Real2. Get Out Of My Way3. Euthanasia4. A New Day5. My Obsession6. In Chains7. My Friend8. Betray Yourself9. Something To Believe In10. Without Rules11. Your Time Has Come

British black metal pioners Venom has announced that their new studio album, "Fallen Angels" will be released on November 28th through Spinefarm Records/Universal. To promote the album, the band will be releasing a double A-side single on October 31st which will feature the songs, "Hammerhead" and "Hail Satanas."

Speaking on the album, frontman Cronos stated: “When we make an album, it usually takes a few tracks to get into the vibe, although this album’s vibe was very much present during the ideas stage… everything came together so naturally. We all started throwing ideas together on the South American tour, and then again during the live shows of 2010, and so we knew from the start that we had some amazing new songs to make a great album. With any new album, you look for a few songs to put into the live set, although that is going to be very difficult with this record, as we can nail the entire album live if we want! Fallen Angels is the result of a band that has spent nearly two years touring and growing as a unit, and as the band grows tighter, so the songs get better and heavier, and we instinctively know what each other is thinking, and the ideas flow easier. This album is only the very start for this line-up; there will be many more albums and live shows to come for Venom. It has taken a long time and a lot of changes to finally deliver a Venom that can attack black metal the way it should be – fast, furious, tight and terrifying. All Hell Breaks Loose… Hell Fucking Yeah!!"

The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Hammerhead2. Nemisis3. Pedal To The Metal4. Lap Of The Gods5. Damnation Of Souls6. Beggerman7. Hail Satanas8. Sin9. Punks Not Dead10. Death Be Thy Name11. Lest We Forget12. Valley Of The Kings13. Fallen Angels

Vader has checked in with the following update about the band's upcoming "The Sign of Hell" tour with Gorgoroth and Valkyrja:

"The Sign Of Hell Tour 2011 with Gorgoroth, Vader, and Valkyrja and their guests is getting closer! We start the tour with a show in Berlin on November 1st and visit Rostock the on next day. The following shows go as previously announced. There was a change of club in Goteborg - we will play in Parken instead of Musiken Hus.

"There are also some new shows added to the schedule - we give a show in Plymouth (UK) and Hengelo (the Netherlands). We will also visit Prague (the Czech Republic), Kosice (Slovakia), Skopje (Macedonia) and Novi Sad (Serbia).

"Unfortunately, we won't play in Budapest and Grenoble. Soon we will provide you with the names of bands supporting the main line-up of our tour. During 'The Sign Of Hell Tour 2011' the bands will promote their newest albums: Gorgoroth's 'Under The Sign Of Hell,' Vader's great received 'Welcome To The Morbid Reich' (Nuclear Blast) and Valkyrja's 'Contamination' (Metal Blade)!"

Christ Agony has issued the following announcement about upcoming tour dates in support of "NocturN," the band's new album:

"We would like to proudly announce our ninth studio album 'NocturN' which will be released via Mystic Production on the 2nd of October 2011. Christ Agony is heading for a European tour visiting Germany, Holland, Belgium, England, Ireland, the UK and Poland. It's been exactly 15 years since the last Christ Agony european tour with Behemoth and Helheim! You will find the full tour schedule below.

"The band consisting of: Cezar (Moon, Whispers) on guitar and vocal, Reyash (Supreme Lord, Witchmaster, Incantation, Profanum, Vader) on bass and vocal and Paul (Soul Snatcher, Hell-Born, Vader) on drums will introduce an over one hour long set on every show. You will hear most of the tracks off of the legendary "Moonlight" album from 1996, classics from the early albums as well as three songs from NocturN. The new album together with the official merch will be sold during the shows. See you in October!"

American hardcore legends Sick Of It All have been confirmed as the latest band for next year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, which will take place in Wacken, Germany from August 2nd - 4th. The band will be releasing a new record entitled, "Nonstop" on November 1st, which will consist of twenty re-recorded songs.

U.S. thrash band Blessed Curse (formerly "Devastator") has finished recording its debut release, untitled as of yet. Marc Sasso of Dio and Halford fame will be creating the album's cover art. The album will be released in Europe via Cyclone Empire Records. The band is still seeking a U.S. label for distribution in North America. No release date has been announced.

As a taster of the new release, the band is streaming the song "Bleeding Cross" on its official Facebook page.

U.S. traditional metal band Midnight Chaser, featuring Mordred guitarist Sven Soderlund (Ex-Lääz Rockit), has signed to Heavy Artillery Records. The first full-length release from the band, "Rough and Tough" is scheduled for a November 1st, 2011.

The announcement from Heavy Artillery is as follows:

"Having gained much praise for their self-titled EP released in 2010 on Heavy Artillery Records,the Bay-Area bad boys of rock n roll look forward to the release of their debut full-length album Rough and Tough,scheduled for November 1st.

"Guitarist Stephen Lauck had this to say regarding the upcoming release: ' We really focused on tight songwriting with the release of Rough and Tough, our first full length. There are a lot of bands doing the traditional or NWOBHM thing, so we really try and deliver not just a 'sound' but a total package of songs that make an awesome sounding record. We wanted to capture our 'in the room feel' but also didn't want to skimp on the production values that most listeners are used to. This isn't a throwback album, this is what we feel we are into right now, and our lyrics and hopefully the passion we've put into the riffs really show that. It's great to be influenced by your idols, but it's a lot harder to really make an effort to put forth an album that you feel could stand on it's own in the current and previous metal scenes. As a band we just tried to make a record that we ourselves could listen to. Sometimes I think we are pretty hard on ourselves and are maybe too picky about writing so I hope that you can hear our efforts to make this our best release and we hope that other like minded metal fans are able to enjoy this full length as much as we enjoyed writing and recording it. Play it loud!'

"Being only one of seven bands hand-picked by Gary Holt of Exodus/Slayer fame to play at his wedding party Midnight Chaser will help celebrate this specialday while showcasing material from their upcoming album on Saturday, September24th at the Avalon in Santa Clara, CA. Lauck had this to say about the upcoming event:

" 'We are honored to be associated with such metal royalty. Midnight Chaser is lucky enough to be able to hang out locally with such important bands in the metal scene and we are gearing up to play a blinder to what I think will be an awesome crowd and awesome show for Gary and Lisa!'

German dark/black metal band Nachtblut has posted a new music video for the title track of the forthcoming re-release of "Antik" on September 30th, 2011 (EU) and October 4th, 2011 (North America) via Napalm Records. The re-release of "Antik" will contain four bonus tracks and new artwork.

Swedish doom act Isole is streaming new track "The Lake" on its Facebook page. The new song will appear on the forthcoming release "Born From Shadows" due out on October 28th, 2011 through Napalm Records.

The track listing for "Born From Shadows" is:

1. The Lake2. Black Hours3. Born from Shadows4. Come to Me5. My Angel6. Condemned7. When All is Black

Progressive symphonic metal band Haken from the UK is on the verge of releasing its second bit of work, titled “Visions,” on October 25th. However, ProgPower USA XII attendees were able to pick it up a month ahead of time at the festival this last weekend. In one of the early set spots on day two of the festival, Haken was the perfect cure for the ProgPower hangover. The crowd largely greeted them with a good response.

The band was out and about with the attendees when not on or in the backstage, and made it a point to drink down at the local gastropub. In the pit area the night before their performance, bassist Thom MacLean and I had a good talk about his other band, To-Mera, which is also a critically acclaimed prog act. After their performance the next day, guitarist/keyboardist Richard Henshall, vocalist Ross Jennings, Drummer Raymond Hearne, and Thom met me in the vendor room for a more formal interview. We discussed the recording of “Visions,” the stories behind their two albums, the band’s musical training and formation, and the merits of the other ProgPower bands. More...

This week a look at the band Down & Dirty and the release of their first video: “Taste of Rock & Roll”. Based in Chicago, Down & Dirty have released an album by the same name this year. Research on the band quickly turned up two items. First, that the band is relatively new to the scene. Secondly, they have a large number of groupies – already. Why every fourteen year old kid doesn’t teach himself how to play guitar is beyond me. PICK ONE: A. Master’s Degree B. White picket fence C. Groupies. Don’t feel too dirty, most picked the same one as you. Now a look at the video… More...